Cool Spring Presbyterian Church Cemetery
established c1725
From "History of Delaware : 1609-1888, Volume 2"
By John Thomas Scharf, 1888:
"The early history of the oldest religious organization in the hundred has not been preserved, but from a contemporary account, it appears that the Presbyterian Church of Cool Spring was organized many years before the time usually given—1734 to 1737 (In his report to the Missionary Society of London, October 11, 1728, the Rev. Wm. Beckett, of the Episcopal Church, said,—" The Presbyterians have two Churches in Sussex County—one at Cool Spring and the other at Lewes," etc. There were at that time six hundred Presbyterians (old and young) in the county.)
It is not improbable that the congregation may have been formed as early as 1700, as a number of Presbyterian families lived in that locality at that time. To accommodate these with a place of worship, a central location was selected, situated in the forest, near a good spring of water. For this lot a warrant for a survey was issued, by the proprietaries in Pennsylvania, August 22, 1737,which directed that "four acres and one hundred and fifty- five feet, in a lot of ten acres, be surveyed for James Martin and a few other members of the Presbyterian congregation, to include the meeting-house and graveyard thereon, located on the southeast side of Cool Spring, and on the west side of the county road, being nearly seven miles distant from the town of Lewes." This survey was made September 29,1737, by Deputy-Surveyor, W. Shankland.
In 1734 the congregation formed a parish with Lewes, Rev. Josiah Martin being the minister, and his successors at Lewes, subsequently, also preached here. In 1788 the church became a part of the corporation of " the United Presbyterian Congregation of Lewes, Cool Spring and Indian River," and for many years retained that connection. Prior to 1805 there were ordained as ruling elders at Cool Spring, under this arrangement: Archibald Hopkins.Manlove Russell, Robert Coulter, David Stephenson, William Virden, Josiah Martin, David Mustard, John Stephenson and William Peery.
In 1810 the congregation had a larger membership than either of the other churches, and for many years was strong in numbers and influence. In 1887, however, there were but forty members and the church had no regular pastor.
The present house of worship, a substantial frame, is the third building which was erected on this lot, and was dedicated January 14, 1855. It replaced an old church, painted red, which stood with its side towards the street, and had two doors to enter. A gallery was built at each end, and it was in other arrangements like the churches of the olden times. When the present house was occupied, the congregation had as trustees James F. Martin, David M. Richards and Peter J. Hopkins. At the same time the ruling elders were Elisha D. Cullen, David M. Richards, Benjamin White, Peter J. Hopkins, Aaron Marshall, James F. Martin and David J. Ennis.
There were eighty white and two colored members and Rev. Cornelius H. Mustard was the pastor. He acceptably served in that relation until the spring of 1869,when failing health obliged him to leave a people he loved so well, and where he had received his spiritual nurture while a youth. Other ministers from this church were the Revs. Samuel M. Perry and David Coulter.
Since Rev. Mr. Mustard's pastorate, the minister; officiating regularly at Cool Spring have been the following:
1870, Rev. G. N. Kennedy; 1874, Rev. J. Bailie Adams; 1882, Rev. E. A. Snook; 1886, Rev. Benjamin Crosby.
In 1887 the ruling elders were Benjamin White, D. J. Ennis, James M. Martin and Thomas J. Perry. The latter was also clerk of the sessions.
"Among the interments noted in the cemetery at Cool Spring (which is a large yard, well inclosed):